Why are sulfur compounds added to natural gas?
Between 1 and 4 ppmv of sulfur odorant compounds are typically added to natural gas and other liquefied petroleum gases for safety purposes. Some odorant compounds can be reactive and may oxidize, forming more stable compounds with lower odor thresholds.
What are sulfur oxidizers?
Sulfur Oxidizers Reduced sulfur compounds are usually formed as a product of anaerobic heterotrophic respiration with sulfate, but some waters receive large inputs of sulfide via ground water. Oxygen is the most common electron acceptor, but other potential electron acceptors such as nitrate can also be used.
What happens when you oxidize sulfur?
Sulfur oxidation involves the oxidation of reduced sulfur compounds such as sulfide (H2S), inorganic sulfur (S0), and thiosulfate (S2O2−3) to form sulfuric acid (H2SO4). Biochemically, reduced sulfur compounds are converted to sulfite (SO2−3) and, subsequently, sulfate (SO2−4) by the enzyme sulfite oxidase.
What is the oxidized form of sulfur?
The most oxidized form of biologically active sulfur is the ubiquitous dianion, sulfate (SO42−), of the strong mineral acid sulfuric acid (H2SO4).
Is Sulphur present in natural gas?
Natural gas and other gaseous fuels naturally contain varying amounts and classes of sulfur compounds, which can be odorous, corrosive to equipment, and inhibit or destroy catalysts used in gas processing. Even trace amounts of sulfur can be destructive to processing.
What is sulfur compounds used for?
Today, it’s most common use is in the manufacture of sulfuric acid, which in turn goes into fertilizers, batteries and cleaners. It’s also used to refine oil and in processing ores. Pure sulfur has no smell. The stink associated with the element comes from many of its compounds, according to Chemicool.
Where does sulfur oxidation occur?
Enzyme-mediated sulfite oxidation can occur in the periplasm and the cytoplasm in different bacteria. Besides, sulfite also can be converted to sulfate, thiosulfate or glutathione S-sulfonate chemically with the help of Fe3+ or sulfur (Sugio et al., 1987b; Suzuki et al., 1992; Harahuc and Suzuki, 2001).
What is the final product of sulfur oxidation?
sulfate
The final product of sulfur oxidation is sulfate (SO42-). Thiobacillus, widespread in marine and terrestrial habitats, oxidizes sulfur, producing sulfates useful to plants; in deep ground deposits it generates sulfuric acid, which dissolves metals in mines but also corrodes concrete and steel.
Is sulfur an oxidizing agent?
Sulfur is called the oxidizing agent. The zinc causes the sulfur to gain electrons and become reduced and so the zinc is called the reducing agent. The oxidizing agent is a substance that causes oxidation by accepting electrons.
What is a major product of sulfur oxidation?
THE SULFUR-OXIDIZING PROKARYOTES. Biological oxidation of hydrogen sulfide to sulfate is one of the major reactions of the global sulfur cycle. Reduced inorganic sulfur compounds (referred to below as sulfur) are exclusively oxidized by prokaryotes, and sulfate is the major oxidation product.
Does sulfur have an oxidation number?
The oxidation number of sulfur depends on the compound it is in. In S₈, the oxidation number of S is 0. In H₂S, the oxidation number of S is -2.
What is the sulfur content in natural gas?
Sulphur: In the Union Gas system, the typical sulphur content is 5.5 mg/m3. This includes the 4.9 mg/m3 of sulphur in the odourant (mercaptan) added to gas for safety reasons.
What are the sulfur compounds in natural gas?
Sulfur compounds in natural gas are in the form of mercaptans, hydrogen sulfide, and odorants. The first two are naturally occurring at source (gas fields) and have already been reduced by treatment at the gas processing plant.
How is hydrogen sulfide converted to elemental sulfur?
Sulfur recovery refers to the conversion of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) to elemental sulfur. Hydrogen sulfide is a byproduct of processing natural gas and refining high-sulfur crude oils. The most common conversion method used is the Claus process. Approximately 90 to 95 percent of recovered sulfur is produced by the Claus process.
What is the process of sulfur anaerobic oxidation?
The process referred to as sulfur anaerobic oxidation, or autotrophic denitrification, consists on the oxidation of reduced sulfur compounds coupled to the reduction of nitrogen oxides using CO 2 as carbon source. With this, the cycles of sulfur, nitrogen and carbon intertwine.
How is hydrogen sulfide produced in oil refining?
Hydrogen sulfide is a byproduct of processing natural gas and refining high-sulfur crude oils. The most common conversion method used is the Claus process. Approximately 90 to 95 percent of recovered sulfur is produced by the Claus process.